jessica & co.

Jessica is going to the Chapel. And she's going to get married. To Pete. In July. And they had the clever idea of booking an engagement session for Save the Date cards. So, after a disastrous game of cat and mouse, we met up last night to capture some sweet moments of this sweet couple. Usually when I shoot at this park, I'm with families and small children, so I've never felt comfortable exploring the woods. But these two crazy kids were up for anything (including trying to nail the Spiderman Shot!), so we scaled steep trails, rocks and trees. While we managed to stay away from danger, some guy from a nearby family photo shoot was not as lucky. One minute he was standing on the edge of the creek. The next minute he was in it. I kid you not. I digress. Jessica, obviously, is going to be a beautiful bride. And Pete, who risked permanent back problems while trying to nail a shot, is obviously a future Husband of the Year contender. They say the secret to a great marriage is laughter. After spending a little over an hour with Jessica and Pete, I'm pretty certain they'll happily grow old together, laughing through the years. Such a fun couple, and I truly enjoyed my time with them. Guys, thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of this special time in your lives. Good luck with the rest of the planning, and enjoy your sneak!

diane & co.

Every few Mondays, Diane will send me an email about this very blog. Commenting on the beautiful faces she has looked at, or the words she has read, or both. Receiving one of her emails is such a nice way for me to start my week. So writing this particular entry is very special for me, for two reasons. One, she gets to see pictures of her beautiful children on Monday morning; and two, because today is the third anniversary of Hank and Diane holding little Haley in their arms for the first time. Both Haley and Jack were adopted from Guatemala, and there is no doubt in my mind that these precious babies were born into this world to become a part of Hank and Diane's. Such a loving, beautiful family, all the more special because it took a little more work create it. I first met Diane last May, when we took family portraits. Yesterday marked our third time to work together, and it was like hanging out with an old friend. Haley and Jack were as fun as ever, and they both managed to give me some gorgeous smiles. For obvious reasons, Diane is a huge supporter of a non-profit organization that helps Mayan families in Guatemala. To learn more about this fabulous org, or to help in some small way, go to www.mayanfamilies.org. Not only is today such a special anniversary for Diane & Co., but this Christmas will be Jack's first Christmas with his family . . . so, suffice to say, December is a special month for this special family. Diane, happy anniversary, and thank you so much for allowing me to capture some special moments of your beautiful family. Enjoy your sneak peek!

tiffany & co.

Um, have you been eagerly anticipating that title like I have; you knew it eventually had to happen. Anyway, I met Tiffany and her blue-eyed boys for a family photo session yesterday. Not only was Tiffany my first Tiffany & Co., her boys were my first set of twins! Just a month shy of their first birthdays, Lincoln and Christian upped the Cute Quotient to a whole new level. Their eyes were ridiculously blue, and their dapper little matching pea coats and outfits were beyond adorable. Tiffany brought along two little monkey hats, as well as her father's antique rocking chair that he used when he was just a tot (though, truth be told, the boys were much happier exploring the grounds and consuming the leaves than posing in Grandpa's chair). At the very end of our session, when poor little Christian had had enough of the cold, enough of the hat, enough of it all, he started crying. Lincoln, who up to that point hadn't fussed once, let out somewhat of a cry . . . which made Christian immediately stop crying, which made Lincoln stop crying, and they both turned to look at each other in silence . . . just staring at each other in their little hats. Who knows what they were thinking, but it was definitely a Twin Moment, and one of the highlights of the session. Tiffany and Fahmi, I had so much fun meeting you guys. You are a beautiful family, and enjoy your sneak peek!

julia & co.

This afternoon I found myself at the beautiful home of Jeremy and Julia, for a newborn session with the sweet Miss Ryan. Born six weeks ago, Ryan was already a champ at holding her head up during tummy time, worked up quite an appetite the first 15 minutes of our session, and confused Dear Daddy's lap with her diaper! Jeremy and Julia were both such relaxed first-time parents, were so very patient, and have more than bonded with their little girl. I have never seen "Daddy's wrapped around her little finger" more evident than when Jeremy was snuggling with his little girl. Priceless. And when Ryan all but told us she was through with the posing, a quick rocking in mama's arms calmed her down instantly. While asleep, we were able to get some really sweet shots, and when she awoke from her mini-nap, she gave us some pretty sweet faces. All in all, a wonderful session, and such an honor (thanks to Jen and Jared for the introduction!). I have to mention that Julia and Jeremy's musical tastes mirror my own. Exactly. I kid you not, dear reader, almost every single song they played during the session were the very same songs I listen to at home! It was a bit freaky, to be perfectly honest; Julia, be sure to check out Leon Jackson's "Creative" on youtube; it's another one of those "fixing dinner w/a glass of wine" songs. Anyway, I so enjoyed our time this afternoon! She is tutu precious, and you both are too sweet. Enjoy your sneak peek, and congratulations!

tracey & co.

This morning I met Tracey and her family for some festive holiday photos. And when I say family, I mean her mother, father, brother (who was recovering from the back surgery that he had on Tuesday), his Jenny McCarthy look-alike wife, their two boys, her "older sister" and her dog, as well as Tracey's own husband and their littlest little, Nolan. Tracey and Lamar had been up since four a.m., transforming their lovely home into a Winter Wonderland of sorts, preparing for the shoot. While I am sure they were exhausted by the time I arrived, you wouldn't know it by looking at their smiling faces. And everyone else was equally jovial, taking turns as we posed different families, etc. We covered alot of ground in 2.5 hours, and I was so impressed with everyone's patience . . . especially the three boys . . . and of them, especially the little 8 month old, who fussed only once! This was my second time back to Tracey and Lamar's, and I had more fun than the last visit. You might remember from the last Tracey & Co., she and her husband own a small business called the Celtic Craftsman (he's Irish and a true genius in all things carpentry). Well, Tracey, who has such a larger than life personality carries not one, but two, really cute and very trendy lines. One is called Three Designing Women (www.threedesigningwomen.com), and sells all those chic, fully customizable self inking stamps and stationery sets that are all the rage right now (perfect for return address, holiday cards, birth announcements, baby showers, wedding invitations, save the date, holiday cards, engagement announcements, gift tags, even wine bottle tags!); the options are limitless. As if two businesses aren't enough, she also carries Uppercase Living (artistic wall decorations and sayings that look like hand painting--these are great for the home and nurseries and photo walls; it's like the stuff you see in Pottery Barn Kids, only better. For more information on either one of these lines (especially with the holidays so close!), contact Tracey at tracey@celticcraftsman.com . Tracey, thank you for organizing this uber-session, and thanks to everyone for their patience. Enjoy your sneak peek (and Jacob and Spencer, I hope you get that Wii thiny-ma-bob for Christmas!).

shanie & co.

Shanie was one of my very first clients. She had orchestrated a family photo shoot, consisting of 6 adults and three very lovely little girls, at the home of her in-laws'. She also referred so many of you to me! Fast forward 6 months later, and Shanie orchestrated a much smaller shoot, sans the adults, of the three little girls in her own home. Miss Sydney hadn't changed much; as pretty as ever and still a fan of the camera. Seriously, this child kept asking me if she could pose again! Cousin Caroline had grown so much since I last saw her, but still had that pretty blonde hair and blue eyes . . . and she celebrated her second birthday yesterday! And baby sister Shea was no longer a baby. Barely sitting up by herself, she was now standing up all on her own! Sandy, Caroline's mama, was in from NY, and the ladies wanted to get some cousin shots together. Which was not very easy. But we did manage to get some sweet shots of all the girls . . . even if they weren't together. Shanie's husband, by the by, is using a family photo I took of them from our first session as an ad for his business. You can see the picture of them on Tom Thumb shopping carts all over North Dallas! Ladies, as always, you were so much fun. Special thanks to Gigi for all the help, and kisses to the sweet girls! Enjoy your sneak peek!

b & co.

A few months ago, B & K met me for a wonderfully successful maternity session. Being the private folks that they are, they requested that I not use their images on my blog or my website. And I obliged . . . even though it killed me. So today, as we were taking pictures of the sweet Miss M, I just couldn't stand it, dear reader. Oh the sweetness of baby M! She smiled, she slept, she made eye contact, she melted my heart. And I knew you would want to see the deliciousness of this little princess. So, with respect and dignity, I begged and pleaded on my hands and knees for her proud parents to allow me the honor of sharing her with you. And, thankfully, they obliged . . . even though I am sure it killed them. And would you believe that Santa made a special visit just to see this angel baby? After her perfect behavior during today's shoot, it's safe to assume she's on Santa's Good List. Congrats, guys! She is beautiful, and it was an honor. Special thanks to Grandpa Santa for all the help and the wonderful pictures!

jill & co.

Jill contacted me a few months ago for a maternity session that would include her lovely daughter, Madelyn, and dog Max. But not her husband, as the pictures taken today would be presented to said husband as a gift. Or two. When Jill and I initially spoke, I knew I liked her. When I arrived at her beautiful home today, I knew I wasn't mistaken. And oh the ideas she had! Finger painting, twirling hair and thumb sucking poses (to match the new artwork for Miss Maddie's room) and the most laid back attitude. Such a sweet mama, and Miss Madelyn could not have been cuter. Max got in on the action with a few belly kisses, and I am certain Operation Secret Prego Shoot was a success. Thanks, Jill, for the fun morning, and enjoy your sneak peek!

terri & co.

While in Houston, over the holiday weekend, I found myself at the gorgeous home of Terri . . . older sister of one of my absolute best friends. Terri is expecting her third child (her first boy) in a few months, and she asked me to document this special time in her life. Terri is beautiful, her daughters are beautiful, and her house is beautiful. So it stands to reason that the shots would be beautiful. And the really neat thing was that Terri was open to alot of my ideas, but she also had some really great ones of her own. All in all, a wonderfully relaxed shoot with a dear friend, and I got to stay afterwards for a delicious home cooked meal by Moose and Bump (and I was even invited over for a slumber/Hannah Montanna viewing party by the divine Mia and Sophie, but, alas, I had to get home to my own babies). Thanks, Terri, for an unbelievable session, and congrats! It was such an honor being a part of this special time in your lives!

annat & co.

A few months ago, I did a photo shoot with Joelle and her family. Joelle's friend, Laura (from Houston) came in town, and we ended up doing a photo shoot for Laura's family, as well. Laura's sister-in-law, Annat (also from H-town), saw the pictures, and emailed me wanting to know if I ever visited Houston, as she wanted to schedule her own family session with me. As it happened, we celebrated Turkey Day in Houston with my in-laws, so I was able to arrange a shoot with Annat and her lovely family. The shoot was scheduled for the Friday morning after Thanksgiving, but a forecast of rain made us push the shoot to Wednesday evening; which was perfect, as we were able to get some amazing golden light from the setting sun. Annat brought along her husband, David, and her children, Steven and Sara. Such well-behaved, fun little ones (and so very cute), and David (who is going to be a doctor "when he grows up") was impossibly nice. Annat, I had so much fun with you guys, the wardrobe choice was great, and it was such an honor that you wanted me to work with your beautiful family (long distance and all). I can now say with pride, "Haute Shot Photography, serving Dallas and Houston". Thanks so much, and enjoy your sneak peek!